(12-26-2014 03:52 AM)asinshesq Wrote: I currently have a number of yealink voip phones in my house that tie into a 3cx server I am running on a local laptop. The phone service to the outside world is analog (Fairpoint) and I use a patton fxo gateway to bridge from my 3cx system to the outside.
I realize that this is a newbie type question but I am curious: is it possible to sign up for a third party voip server (to replace my local 3cx server) without actually signing up for a third party voip service? Would that be a crazy thing to do (as opposed to actually signing up for a real voip service)?
If I were to go with a true third party voip service rather than just a server, would I still be using a gateway or would I connect the voip phones directly to the third party service?
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You asked:
Is it possible to sign up for a third party voip server (to replace my local 3cx server) without actually signing up for a third party voip service?
You would need to look around to see if any Third Party Providers allow this. Most of them seem to provide at least one telephone number as part of the package.
If you did indeed find one and you want to use your existing telephone number with their service, then you would need to set up your Patton Gateway to be access from your Third Party Provider.
This would not be ideal and the voice quality would be poor.
Maybe just Port your existing number to the Third Party Provider?
If you just want to use the VOIP phones as an Intercom (no outside calls) then look at Callcentric.com.
You can get a free number and up to 10 extensions.
They do charge for 911 service.
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If I were to go with a true third party voip service rather than just a server, would I still be using a gateway or would I connect the voip phones directly to the third party service?
If you get a telephone number from the provider, then you don't need to use your Patton Gateway at all.
Your VOIP phones would connect to your Internet Router to allow them to access the providers services.
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Hope this helps you.